Can Saudi Arabia Reach Its Goal of Having Half of Tourism Jobs Filled by Citizens by 2028?

Assalamu Alaikum! Saudi Arabia has set a bold goal to have Saudi citizens occupy half of the jobs in licensed tourism establishments by 2028. Recruiters say this is an ambitious target, and reaching it will take hard work and dedication. The aim is to encourage more Saudis to join the growing non-oil industries instead of traditional government roles. To succeed, more training and incentives will be needed to prepare the workforce for these opportunities. The Ministry of Tourism recently announced a plan to gradually increase the percentage of Saudi workers in tourism, aiming for 40% by April 2026, 45% by January 2027, and 50% by 2028. The policy also forbids outsourcing these jobs outside the kingdom. Experts note that changing how people view tourism careers is key. Promoting tourism as a source of national pride helps motivate more Saudis, including women who already make up nearly half of the tourism sector workforce, to join. Though the path may be challenging, especially in the short term, there is confidence that with proper training and support, Saudi Arabia can build a strong talent pipeline. Specialized positions will still rely on skilled expatriates for some time. Mega-projects like AlUla and Diriyah already showcase Saudi guides proudly sharing their rich heritage with visitors. Since 2020, the kingdom has created hundreds of thousands of training opportunities to prepare more Saudis for jobs in tourism. With a young population eager for meaningful work outside the public sector, this initiative offers a promising path for growth and diversification in line with Vision 2030. May Allah bless these efforts and help make this goal a reality, insha'Allah.